and terrified
beyond expression at this horrid scene, scarcely had I sufficient
strength to regain my Cell. As I reached the door of that of Agnes, I
ventured to look towards the bed, on which lay her lifeless body, once
so lovely and so sweet! I breathed a prayer for her departed Spirit,
and vowed to revenge her death by the shame and punishment of her
Assassins. With danger and difficulty have I kept my oath. I unwarily
dropped some words at the funeral of Agnes, while thrown off my guard
by excessive grief, which alarmed the guilty conscience of the
Prioress. My every action was observed; My every step was traced. I
was constantly surrounded by the Superior's spies. It was long before
I could find the means of conveying to the unhappy Girl's Relations an
intimation of my secret. It was given out that Agnes had expired
suddenly: This account was credited not only by her Friends in Madrid,
but even by those within the Convent. The poison had left no marks
upon her body: No one suspected the true cause of her death, and it
remained unknown to all, save the Assassins and Myself.

'I have no more to say: For what I have already said, I will answer
with my life. I repeat that the Prioress is a Murderess; That She has
driven from the world, perhaps from heaven, an Unfortunate whose
offence was light and venial; that She has abused the power intrusted
to her hands, and has been a Tyrant, a Barbarian, and an Hypocrite. I
also accuse the four Nuns, Violante, Camilla, Alix, and Mariana, as
being her Accomplices, and equally criminal.'

Here St. Ursula ended her narrative. It created horror and surprize
throughout: But when She related the inhuman murder of Agnes, the
indignation of the Mob was so audibly testified, that it was scarcely
possible to hear the conclusion. This confusion increased with every
moment: At length a multitude of voices exclaimed that the Prioress
should be given up to their fury. To this Don Ramirez refused to
consent positively. Even Lorenzo bad the People remember that She had
undergone no trial, and advised them to leave her punishment to the
Inquisition. All representations were fruitless: The disturbance grew
still more violent, and the Populace more exasperated. In vain did
Ramirez attempt to convey his Prisoner out of the Throng. Wherever He
turned, a band of Rioters barred his passage, and demanded her being
delivered over to them more loudly than before. Ramirez ordered hi